This page is part of the 2016 Lane website archive, and is presented for historical reference only.

January 11, 2012

LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES
January 11, 2012

1.  Attendance
Board members present: Bob Ackerman, Pat Albright, Susie Johnston, Gary LeClair, Tony McCown, Rosie Pryor, and Sharon Stiles. Also present were: President Mary Spilde; Vice President Sonya Christian; Chief Financial Officer Greg Morgan; Legal Counsel Meg Kieran; Lane Community College Education Association President Jim Salt; Lane Community College Employees Federation President Bob Baldwin; and Association Students of Lane Community College President Mario Parker-Milligan.

A. Chair Johnston called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.

B. President's Report
Welcome to 2012 and winter term. We had a long break, got a lot done on campus, and we have a lot of budget and legislative work ahead of us, so I hope you're energized.

During the break, our Facilities staff and an arborist contractor removed the last of the London Plane Trees from main campus. All but one was growing on the median strip between Gonyea Road and parking lot B. One tree located east of the Center Building also was removed. London plane trees are highly allergenic and removal was based on a recommendation from the IEQ firm, Paul Carlson Associates. FMP will replant with a non-allergenic species at an appropriate time within the next 12 months. The tree removal was just one of dozens of projects that FMP took care of over the break in order to avoid disrupting classes.

Information Technology also completed numerous tasks over the break including installing new computers in student labs, increasing wireless access, upgrading servers, and implementing a new server and operating system for the college e-mail system, which serves 1,850 users.

We owe our appreciation and thanks to all the folks who gave up break time to keep campus running and ready.

First day registrations for winter term were up about 5 percent for credit classes and about even for noncredit classes, compared to a year ago. Total registrations this winter are keeping pace with fall term, showing continued strong enrollment. Typically, winter enrollment is less than fall enrollment. Nonetheless, final enrollment reports for fall 2011 are now in and show total FTE down .7% and credit FTE down 2.8% but noncredit FTE up 11.7 %.

Bulk mail distribution of our bond report to the community began Friday. Development of the report was a collaboration among Todd Smith in Facilities, Brett Rowlett in Government and Community Relations, and Joan Aschim and Tracy Simms in Marketing and Public Relations.

Our outreach on Facebook continues to grow and is becoming an increasingly important communication tool, as well as a community builder. We have almost 4,000 students-employees-community members who have subscribed, with even more active users. During fall term we used databases to help us identify Foundation supporters, vendor partners, and co-op partners with whom we could connect on Facebook. We also recently concluded a successful ad campaign. Facebook advertising is much less expensive than traditional advertising. It allows us to target specific audiences and provides us with multiple metrics to track return on investment.

Mayor Kitty Piercy delivered Eugene's annual State of the City address last Thursday. Hundreds of people were on hand to hear the positive news as well as the challenges facing our community in 2012. Lane received multiple mentions, including praise for our new Downtown Campus and housing project and the college's importance in strengthening the local economy as we work to pull out of the recession.

The Oregon Education Investment Board (OEIB) released its final report to the Legislature, "Oregon Learns," on December 15. The report lays out elements and key strategies and proposes two packages of legislation for the 2012 session. The report is available on the Governor's website or you can get it from Brett.

OEIB is teaming up with the Oregon Education Association to host a series of community forums around the state this month. There will be one in Eugene on Thursday, January 26 from 6-9 p.m. in our Center for Meeting and Learning, Room 104. Sonya will be Lane's ambassador as I will be out of the office that day. The forums are for educators, parents, students and education advocates to find out more and to share their thoughts.

I again want to thank the board for providing feedback last month on the draft Achievement Compact for community colleges. We are planning a college discussion of the Compacts for staff and students on Tuesday, January 17, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in the CML. As you know, there will be Compacts for each educational sector that will tie performance to funding in the future. The intent is to help Oregon reach its 40-40-20 goal. Legislation will be introduced in February.

When the Legislature meets next month, their top issue will be the budget shortfall, the severity of which will become a little clearer with the next revenue forecast on February 8. Let's hope the good economic news of the past few months carries over to the revenue forecast and budget.

Congress is still on recess. The House will convene again on January 17 and the Senate on January 23. Before adjourning for the holidays, Congress passed the remaining budgets for the current fiscal year. Although they maintained the $5,550 maximum Pell Grant award, changes were made to address the program's $1.3 billion shortfall and sustain the maximum award amount, including-

  • The eligibility limit was reduced from 18 full-time semesters (27 quarters or 9 years) to 12 semesters (6 years);
  • "Automatic zero" Expected Family Contributions (EFC) income levels are cut back from $30,000 to $23,000;
  • Students without a high school diploma or equivalent will now be ineligible; and
  • Students must be eligible for at least 10% of the maximum award to receive a minimum award.

Additionally, Congress placed a two-year moratorium on the six-month grace period on interests and subsidized Stafford Loans after graduation or withdrawal.

I will be traveling to the American Association of Colleges and Universities Annual Meeting late this month, and then to the American Association of Community Colleges 21st Century Commission meeting.

There is a great deal happening on campus in the next few weeks but let me call your attention to a few things:

  • This year's Lane County Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration is Monday, January 16, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the EMU Ballroom at the University of Oregon. The keynote speaker is Dr. Joseph White, who will talk about youth and education. He is professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine. The annual march begins at 10 a.m. at the Science Factory and ends at the Shedd Institute. As in years past, the events are sponsored in part by Lane student government. Springfield also is celebrating with a march starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Springfield Justice Center, and an event from 2-4 p.m. at Springfield High School.
  • Our Diversity Strategic Directions conference is Friday, January 20 in the Longhouse and Center for Meeting and Learning, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The keynote speaker, Dr. Lee Anne Bell, is an author and director of education at Barnard College.
  • We will hold our annual Jam the Gym Titan basketball event on Saturday, January 21, with the women's game at 4 p.m. and men's game at 6 p.m. We will be playing Chemeketa.
  • We are planning a reception for the Yoruba African Art exhibit for Monday, January 23, from 4-6 p.m. in the main art gallery. I will be there and we will welcome several people from Florence, including Mary Johnston who is loaning us the art is from her private collection.
  • Lane will host the Oregon President's Council on January 30 and 31, in the CML., and Susie and I will host a reception the evening before at my home.

2) Personnel
The college's current personnel appointments were presented.

C. Board Agenda Review/Changes
No changes were made to the agenda.

D. Statements from Audience
No statements from the audience were offered.

2A. Consent Agenda
McCown moved, and seconded by Pryor, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of:

  • The approval of the December 14, 2011 meeting minutes.

Motion passed unanimously.

3. Policy Review
A. Second Reading
1. Harassment, D.020
Stiles moved, seconded by LeClair, to approve the second reading of board policy D.020, Harassment.

Motion passed unanimously.

POLICY NUMBER: D.020
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: HARASSMENT

Harassment Policy

Lane has a zero tolerance policy regarding all forms of harassment. Any proven harassment will result in immediate and appropriate action to stop the harassment and prevent its recurrence, including employee discipline consistent with collective bargaining agreements, or student sanctions. Remedial action will be designed to stop the harassing behavior. Any remedial action will be in keeping with the educational mission of the college. Whether or not the alleged harassing behavior is sufficiently severe or pervasive to be judged a violation of this policy, the college may take action to address a complainant's concerns and to ensure that Lane, as a workplace and as an academic institution, maintains a respectful environment. All forms of harassment, including student- to-student harassment, are covered by Lane's harassment policies. Incidents of harassment may bring about sanctions up to and including termination of employment or expulsion from the college.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual discrimination in the form of sexual harassment is prohibited. Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal, written, visual, or physical sexual conduct that makes the terms or conditions of employment contingent on the acceptance of unwanted sexual advances, that negatively affects employment or educational opportunities, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for one of the parties.

Harassment Based on Race/Ethnicity or National Origin

Harassment based on race, ethnicity or national origin is defined as unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct based on a person's actual or perceived race, ethnicity or national origin that unreasonably interferes with an individual's work or academic performance, adversely affects the targeted individual's or others' work or learning opportunities, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVISED: September 8, 2004
REVIEWED: September 13, 2006
REVIEWED: January 14, 2009

B. First Reading
1. Gambling, D.040
Questions arose on this policy regarding the definition of "illegal gambling" and what is meant by a "service representative of value" and was referred to legal counsel. A second reading will be held in March.

POLICY NUMBER: D.040
POLICY TYPE: MISCELLANEOUS
POLICY TITLE: GAMBLING

Illegal gambling of any form, whether played for money, check or any item or service representative of value, is prohibited on the Lane Community College campus or facilities under its direction and control.

ADOPTED: November 9, 1998
REVIEWED: May 12, 2004
REVISED: January 18, 2006
REVIEWED: February 18, 2009

4. Discussion/Action Items
A. Watershed Science Technician AAS
Sarah Ulerick, Science Division Dean, presented information on the proposed Watershed Science Technician Associate of Applied Science program. This program, along with the existing Water Conservation Technician program, will position Lane as "The Water College." Watershed science is an emerging green field, and the demand for expertise in this area is likely to increase in the coming years. The Watershed Science Technician program will prepare graduates to work in multidisciplinary fields that survey and assess watersheds and develop strategies and solutions to maintain and restore healthy water resources.

McCown moved to approve the Watershed Science Technician Associate of Applied Science program. Albright seconded.

Motion passed unanimously.

B. Downtown Campus
Spilde gave a brief update on the status of the Downtown Campus project. She will be taking a hardhat tour of the construction site soon, and donor meetings will be scheduled to take place at the site as well.

Regarding New Market Tax Credits, the money has been appropriated, but the allocation has not yet happened. Allocatees will be identified in February or March.

One of the money saving options discussed previously was shelling in part of the space of the academic building. Spilde will determine the final date for making those types of decisions, and if needed, the board can begin looking at the backup plan.

C. Board Zone Boundaries
Brett Rowlett, Director of Community and Governmental Relations, presented information on board zones. Every ten years, the Lane Community College Board of Education must renew and, if necessary, adjust the boundaries for Zones 1 - 5 based on population information from the U.S. Census. Redistricting may be necessary to ensure that each district is more evenly distributed in population so as to not deny any person equal protection of the law.

Here is the current population breakdown for each zone:

  • Zone 1 73,257 (West Lane County, including Bethel)
  • Zone 2 68,855 (North Eugene, Junction City area, including most of River Road/Santa Clara)
  • Zone 3 72,075 (Springfield and Mohawk area)
  • Zone 4 66,984 (Southeast Lane County and McKenzie areas)
  • Zone 5 70,363 (South Eugene)

This adds up to a total population of 351,534. Ideally, each zone would contain about 70,307 to be equal. Here are the variances from that ideal target:

  • Zone 1 2950.2 ( 4.20%)
  • Zone 2 -1451.8 (-2.06%)
  • Zone 3 1768.2 ( 2.51%)
  • Zone 4 -3322.8 (-4.73%)
  • Zone 5 56.2 ( 0.08%)

These numbers only include Lane County and not the small section of Lincoln County that is in our college district.

While the goal of redistricting congressional and legislative districts has been to reduce variances to less than two percent, the goal for school board zones has historically been to reduce variances to less than five percent. This means the Board may choose to maintain current zone boundaries, which was the decision in 2000, or it may adjust zone boundaries via numerous options.

The first option is to leave the board zone boundaries unchanged, as the variances are under the five percent threshold. The second option is to make adjustments to current boundaries; there would be some cost with this option. The third option is to use alternate boundaries, such as those used for the Lane County Board of Commissioners. This third option would impact many voters because the zones would change significantly.

Ackerman was concerned with the protection of at large positions. He moved that the matter be deferred to legal counsel to determine whether equal protection applies in this case. Pryor seconded.

Albright moved that the board approve existing boundaries pending legal clarification of equal protection issues. Ackerman withdrew his original motion and seconded Albright's motion. Pryor withdrew her second to Ackerman's original motion.

Motion passed unanimously.

D. Budget Committee Appointment
McCown recommended Kevin Cronin as his Budget Committee appointee. Cronin is a student at the University of Oregon and a former lane student. He is active in the community and a supporter of students and community education.

McCown moved, seconded by LeClair, to approve the appointment of Kevin Cronin, Zone 7, to the Lane Community College Budget Committee to complete a three-year term effective immediately and ending June 30, 2014.

Motion passed unanimously.

A. Facilities Update
An update on the status of bond and facilities projects was presented to the board.

B. Financial Planning and Budgeting, A.040, Monitoring Report
Greg Morgan, Chief Financial Officer, answered questions and responded to comments regarding the Financial Planning and Budgeting monitoring report.

C. Compensation and Benefits A.080, Monitoring Report
Dennis Carr, Chief Human Resources Officer, answered questions and responded to comments regarding the Compensation and Benefits monitoring report.

6. Reports
ASLCC Mario Parker-Milligan reported that students have been involved in meetings concerning the budget and tuition. He is working on putting together 75 stories from students on barriers in post secondary education and the importance of financial aid and the Oregon Opportunity Grant, as ASLCC will be sending students to the Capitol at least once a week once the session starts. Lane students are taking part in coordinating the Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration.

LCCEF President Bob Baldwin reported on labor relations. There is one unfair labor practice claim in process and two arbitrations scheduled. Others claims have assigned but are not yet in arbitration. Arbitrations and claims include issues such as violation of contract, just cause, and discriminatory behavior. Labor relations between the classified union and administration are at the worst point they have been in ten years. Management has walked away from facilitated dialogue. An agreement was reached last month regarding acceptance of some outsourcing at the Downtown Campus, which was difficult, but the nature of the work was addressed in a way that made agreement possible.

LCCEA President Jim Salt reported that he recently returned from his sabbatical, having visited 26 countries and 3 continents. He worked on two academic projects: research on sociologist C. Wright Mills, and examining neoliberal economics and policies, particularly in Greece.

Vice President Christian shared the accreditation substantive change report and reported that she had received confirmation that it was approved.

Board Reports
McCown reported that he received the bond update in the mail. It's not only a good document to update the community on the bond work, but it is also a reminder to go online and check out classes. The community Martin Luther King event is January 16. Lane students are instrumental in organizing the event, and it is a wonderful example of what happens when students have the support of the college and community and can in turn strengthen the community themselves.

Albright commented on Baldwin's report, stating that some of the items presented have not been adjudicated and therefore should not be stated as if they are factual and are not appropriate in a public forum. He asked that Baldwin take care in how information is presented to the board.

Johnston welcomed everyone back and wished all a Happy New Year.

LeClair was impressed with the business development website shared by Jim Lindly during the work session.

Stiles reported that the Florence Center will be transporting a busload to main campus for the African art exhibit on January 23. Two Florence Center classes during Fall term were full with 23 students each, a first in Florence.

7. Date, Place, and Proposed Agenda Items for the Next Regular Meeting
Wednesday, February 8, 6:30 pm, Boardroom, Building 3, Lane Community College

8. The board meeting unanimously adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

_____________________________   _____________________________

Mary Spilde, President/District Clerk   Susie Johnston, Board Chair